Asia Argento Dismisses Alleged Affair as “Long‑Standing Persecution”
On Tuesday, the outspoken Italian star and activist Asia Argento shot down claims that she once had a steamy romantic liaison with a 17‑year‑old theatre‑actor‑turned‑rockstar. The New York Times reported that Argento allegedly paid Jimmy Bennett a hefty sum for a 2013 meeting at a Los Angeles hotel — a tale that Argento says never happened.
Who’s the Real Story?
- Age gap – Bennett was just shy of 18, Argento was 37, while California’s consent age is 18.
- Money transfer – Argento claims the money came from her late boyfriend, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, “to keep the press from digging up old bones.”
- “Friendship only” – She insists their relationship was purely platonic, involving a shared film role back in 2004.
Argento’s Statement (styled in a 2‑line
In a press release that read more like a heartfelt email, Argento’s agent denies any sexual ties with Bennett:
“I am deeply shocked and hurt by reading news that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett.”
“Persecution” Terminology
To explain why she fired back at the NYT article, Argento cited a long series of challenges she’s faced since breaking the Weinstein story:
- Her reputation got a “hug‑on‑the‑back” hit in the headlines.
- Bennett reportedly had a string of legal and financial woes before the alleged encounter.
- She says Anthony Bourdain, who was worried about a “black‑mail” vibe from the alleged date, decided to plug in the funds — but only if it meant “no future intrusions into our lives.”
Measures Going Forward
Argento is “ready to do everything necessary” to keep her safety in check with all the proper authorities. She’s positioned these tactics as a modern day “lock‑down” against what she calls the “staggering level of hypocrisy” by some sides.
Meanwhile, she’s been a judge on X Factor Italy and hopes no scandal will force the show to sever ties.
Arc-length Past
Since 1997, when she exposed Harve
Weinstein’s predatory behavior at Cannes, Argento has become a vital voice in the #MeToo movement. Her courage paid off: her accusations spurred a lawsuit against Weinstein, and the public finally shook that Hollywood mogul’s head.
Now, just a month after she posted her evidence, Bennett launched a counter‑claim, stating he remembered the alleged meeting only after seeing her profile marked as a victim. How the wheelies of this courtroom drama will turn remains to be seen.
Police messages say that while Argento is not currently under investigation over the Times story, they will “do inquiries.” As always, drama is a ready ingredient in the Hollywood stew, and only time will reveal if the press will play the next hungry hand.
